$\Omega_0 <1$ From Inflation

Abstract

An inflationary scenario that leads to $\Omega _0<1$ today is presented. An epoch of `old' inflation during which the smoothness and horizon problems are solved is followed by a shortened epoch of `new' inflation. Old inflation exits through the nucleation of a single bubble, leading to negative spatial curvature on slices of constant cosmic time. We calculate the spectrum of density perturbations in such a scenario.